Heat exchanging system

ABSTRACT

A heat exchanger includes an inlet header and an outlet header in fluid communication with the inlet header. A conduit is disposed between the inlet header and the outlet header and has an inner surface and an outer surface. A turbulator is positioned in the conduit for disrupting flow of fluid within the conduit. A heat dispersing member is provide on the outer surface of the conduit.

BACKGROUND

Heat exchanging systems or radiators utilize coolant that is circulatedvia tubes to absorb heat generated in equipment such as engines. Theheat absorbed by the coolant is dissipated to the atmosphere by forcedcirculation of atmospheric air. Effective extraction of heat canincrease the cooling efficiency and also prevent damage to heatgenerating units, particularly in vehicle engines.

SUMMARY

According to an embodiment, a heat exchanger includes an inlet headerand an outlet header in fluid communication with the inlet header. Aconduit is disposed between the inlet header and the outlet header andhas an inner surface and an outer surface. A turbulator is positioned inthe conduit for disrupting flow of fluid within the conduit. A heatdispersing member is provide on the outer surface of the conduit.

According to another embodiment, a heat exchanger includes an inletheader and an outlet header in fluid communication with the inletheader. A plurality of conduits are disposed between the inlet headerand the outlet header and has an inner surface and an outer surface. Aturbulator is positioned in the conduit for disrupting flow of fluidwithin the conduit. A heat dispersing member is provide on the outersurface of the conduit.

According to a further embodiment, a vehicle system includes an engineand a fluid for extracting heat from the engine. A heat exchangingsystem cools the fluid. The heat exchanging system includes a conduit, aturbulator positioned in the conduit for disrupting the flow of fluidwithin the conduit, and a heat dispersing member provided on an outersurface of the conduit;. A pump transfers fluid that has extracted heatfrom the engine to the heat exchanging system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The aspects and features of various exemplary embodiments will be moreapparent from the description of those exemplary embodiments taken withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front view of an exemplary heat exchanging system inaccordance with an embodiment including conduits;

FIG. 2 is a front view of a heat exchanging system in accordance withanother exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of FIG. 2 taken along line X-X;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an exemplary tube of the heat exchangingsystem of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a partial, sectional view of the conduits and turbulators ofthe heat exchanging systems of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an exemplary heat dispersing member;

FIG. 7 is a partial view of an outer surface of a conduit having anexemplary heat dispersing member;

FIG. 8 is a partial view of an outer surface of a conduit having anotherexemplary heat dispersing member;

FIG. 9 is a partial view of another exemplary heat dispersing member;and

FIG. 10 is an exemplary circuit for circulation of the coolant throughthe heat exchanging system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Before any embodiments are explained in detail, it is to be understoodthat the disclosure is not limited in its application to the details ofconstruction and the arrangement of components set forth in thefollowing description or illustrated in the following drawings. Thedisclosure is capable of supporting other embodiments and of beingpracticed or of being carried out in various ways.

Effective extraction of heat helps increase the cooling efficiency andprevent damage to heat generating units, particularly in vehicleengines. FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a heat exchangingsystem 10 a and FIG. 2 illustrates another exemplary embodiment of aheat exchanging system 10 b. The heat exchanging systems 10 a, 10 b havean inlet header 15 a, 15 b for receiving a fluid at a first temperatureand an outlet header 16 a, 16 b for discharging the fluid at a secondtemperature lower than the first temperature. As would be understood byone of ordinary skill in the art when viewing this disclosure, the heatexchanging systems 10 a, 10 b and other exemplary embodiments can beused with an off-road vehicle, an on road vehicle, or any other systemrequiring cooling of fluid from a high temperature to a lowertemperature. Further, although the embodiments of the heat exchangingsystems 10 a, 10 b are described with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2,one skilled in the art will understand that other embodiments andcombinations of the illustrated embodiments are also possible.

In an exemplary embodiment, the heat exchanging systems 10 a, 10 b ofFIGS. 1 and 2 includes a plurality of conduits 12 a, 12 b in fluidcommunication with the inlet headers 15 a, 15 b and the outlet headers16 a, 16 b. For example, the conduits 12 a, 12 b can physically extendbetween the inlet headers 15 a, 15 b and outlet headers 16 a, 16 b. Incertain embodiments, a sealed connection is provided between theconduits 12 a, 12 b and the inlet headers 15 a, 15 b and outlet headers16 a, 16 b. The conduits 12 a, 12 b can include an inner surface and anouter surface. Certain embodiments may also use an inner wall and anouter wall.

The heat transferred to the walls of the conduits 12 a, 2 b, from thefluid flowing therethrough is dissipated to the surrounding environmentof the heat exchanging system 10 a, 10 b via the conduit outer surface.The conduit outer surface can be plain or include one or more surfacefeatures, for example a plurality of heat dispersing members 14 a, 14 bto help facilitate dissipating the fluid's heat.

In an exemplary embodiment, the conduits 12 a, 12 b of the heatexchanging system 10 a, 10 b include one or more turbulators orturbulence creating members. The turbulence creating members do not haveto create turbulence in all or any conditions, but can merely disrupt oralter fluid flow. The turbulence creating members can be positioned ormounted within the conduits 12 a, 12 b. The turbulence creating membersare connected or mounted such that at least part of the fluid flowingthrough the conduits 12 a, 12 b at least partially flows through theturbulence creating members. For example, the fluid from the inletheader 15 a, 15 b flows to the outlet header 16 a, 16 b via the conduits12 a, 12 b at least partially through the turbulence creating members.The turbulence creating member occupies a portion of the conduit 12 a,12 b thereby defining a space within the conduits 12 a, 12 b to allowfor the fluid to flow therethrough. The alteration or disruption offluid flow through the conduits 12 a, 12 b helps facilitate the mixingof fluid and can lead to heat dissipation from the fluid to the wall ofthe conduits 12 a, 12 b.

FIGS. 2-4 show an exemplary embodiment of a turbulence creating memberthat includes a tube 18 having a one or more flow restrictors 22 and oneor more apertures 24 extending through the outer surface. Although theterm tube is used, the shape need not have a cylindrical cross sectionand can be changed as needed. The tubes 18 are positioned in theconduits 12 a, 12 b in a concentric configuration, an eccentricconfiguration, or a staggered configuration. A space 17 is definedbetween the tubes 18 and the conduits 12 a, 12 b. FIG. 3 shows the tubes18 arranged in a concentric configuration, with one or more tubes 18concentric with each associated conduit 12 a, 12 b. In an eccentricconfiguration, one or more tubes 18 are arranged in an off-centerconfiguration with respect to the center of the conduits 12 a, 12 b. Inthe staggered configuration, one or more he tubes 18 are not arranged ina particular order. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 2, thetubes 18 have substantially equal length to the conduits 12 a, 12 b. Inalternative embodiments the size, shape, length, and position of thetubes 18 can be varied.

The flow restrictors 22 are positioned in the tubes 18, for exampleprovided at intervals along the length of the tubes 18 and also ateither ends of the tubes 18. In an exemplary embodiment, the flowrestrictors 22 include a perforated plate, as best shown in FIG. 4.Other types of flow restrictors can be used including a blind plate, aplate having a single aperture, a partial plate, or any combinationthereof. The term plate is used generally, as the flow restrictor 22need not be limited to any particular shape.

The apertures 24 can be positioned in a predefined pattern or randomlyplaced along the tube 18. In the exemplary embodiment show in FIGS. 3and 4, the apertures include substantially circular openings andsubstantially oblong openings. The oblong openings are positionedadjacent or near the flow restrictors 22. In alternative embodiments,different size, shape, spacing, and configuration of apertures 24 can beused.

The flow restrictor 22 acts as a constrictor or blockage along the pathof the fluid flowing through the tubes 18 and can provide a backpressure to the fluid flowing therethrough. Under certain conditionsthis back pressure causes the fluid flowing through the tubes 18 to flowinto the annular space 17 through the apertures 24, altering ordisrupting the flow of the fluid and potentially causing turbulence. Thealtered flow causes mixing of the fluids and increases heat transferfrom the fluid to the walls of the conduits 12 a, 12 b.

FIG. 5 shows another exemplary turbulence creating member in the form ofbaffles 26 that can be provided along the length of the conduits 12 a,12 b. The baffles 26 extend from the inner wall of the conduits 12 a, 12b in a direction substantially orthogonal to the central axis of theconduits 12 a, 12 b, although the baffles 26 can also be angledobliquely. The baffles 26 also alter or disrupt flow and can createturbulence within the fluid flowing through the conduits 12 a, 12 b. Thebaffles 26 can include openings, for example perforations or they canhave an unbroken surface. The disruption or turbulence created by thebaffles 26 causes mixing of the fluids which results in transferring ofheat from the fluid to the walls of the conduits 12 a, 12 b.

The exterior of the conduits 12 a, 12 b can include heat dispersingmembers 14 a, 14 b to help transfer heat to the atmosphere. The heatdispersing members 14 a, 14 b can include one or more fins extendingfrom each of the conduits 12 a, 12 b although in alternative embodimentsnot all conduits need to include heat dispersing members 14 a, 14 b.Although depicted as substantially perpendicular to the outer wall ofthe conduits 12 a, 12 b, the heat dispersing members 14 a, 14 b may alsoextend at an oblique angle. The heat dispersing members 14 a, 14 b canbe a profiled projection, a plurality of discreet members configured, orother heat dissipating structure on the outer surface of the conduits 12a, 12 b.

As shown in FIG. 1, the heat dispersing members 14 a can include one ormore fins having a length equal to the length of the conduit 12 a. Inalternative embodiments, the fins can be circumferentially arranged onthe outer wall of the conduits 12 a in a staggered configuration. Thefins extend substantially planar across the conduits 12 a, althoughcurved, for example helically extending fins can also be used.

As shown in FIG. 2, the heat dispersing members 14 b can include one ormore discs extending along each conduit 12 b. An example of the discheat dispersing members 14 b is shown in FIG. 6. The disc is configuredto be mounted on the outer wall of the conduits 12 a, 12 b. The discshaped heat dispersing members 14 b include a planar surface 29 and oneor more projections 30, extending from the planar surface 29. FIG. 6shows a series of concentric curvilinear projections 30, although othersizes, shapes, spacing and configurations of projections can be used.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show alternative embodiments of heat dispersing members 14c, 14 d that can be used with the heat exchanging systems 10 a, 10 b.These heat dispersing members 14 c, 14 d include one or more finsradially extending from the outer wall of the conduits 12 a, 12 b. FIG.7 illustrates rectilinear fins while FIG. 8 illustrates curvilinearfins. Other sizes, shapes, spacing, and configurations of fins can beused.

FIG. 9 illustrates another alternative embodiment of heat dispersingmembers 14 e that extend from the conduits 12 a, 12 b and include one ormore openings 28. The openings 28 can alternatively be positioned in orthrough the conduits 12 a, 12 b, for example in an outer wall. The heatdispersing members 14 e can be arranged in a staggered manner to helpdisrupt flow or create turbulence in the air surrounding the heatexchanging system 10 a, 10 b. The size, shape, and configurations of theopenings 28 can also be varied to disrupt flow or cause turbulence.

FIG. 10 shows an exemplary circuit for circulation of the fluid,typically coolant. The circuit illustrated in FIG. 10 is described withreference to heat exchanging system 10 b illustrated in FIG. 2, howeverit is understood that the described principles can be used with the heatexchanging system 10 a illustrated in FIG. 1 or other heat exchangingsystems.

In the exemplary embodiment, the cooled fluid from the outlet header 16b flows into a first fluid tank 32. The fluid coming from the outletheader 16 b has a reduced temperature as compared to the heat generatedby the engine 33. The fluid from the first fluid tank 32 is circulatedthrough the engine 33 to extract heat therefrom. The temperature of thefluid increases after extraction of heat from the engine 33 to a firsttemperature. This first temperature is higher than a second temperaturewhich represents the temperature of the fluid in the first fluid tank 32where the fluid is contained after leaving the heat exchanging system 10b. The fluid at the first temperature flows into a second fluid tank 36and is pumped back to the heat exchanging system 10 b by a fluid pump38. Before entering the heat exchanging system 10 b, the fluid is passedthrough an orifice 40 via a valve 42. It is understood that the circuitfor circulation of fluid, as illustrated in FIG. 10, is variable asrequired.

In an alternative embodiment, a determination may be made on whether topass the fluid to the heat exchanging system 10 b or to the engine 33.If the temperature of the fluid leaving the second fluid tank 36 isbelow a certain temperature, the flow of the fluid is directed towardsthe engine 33 by the valve 42 while by-passing the heat exchangingsystem 10 b. On the other hand, if the temperature of the fluid is abovea certain temperature, the flow of the fluid is directed towards theheat exchanging system 10 b by the valve 42.

In various exemplary embodiments, the heat exchanging systems 10 a, 10 billustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 are relatively stationary. In variousalternative embodiments, each of the conduits 12 a, 12 b are rotatableabout their respective axis while being supported between the inletheader 15 a, 15 b and the outlet header 16 a, 16 b. The conduits 12 a,12 b can be mounted with a rotatable connection, for example a rotaryjoint or bearing.

In accordance with another alternative embodiment, the heat exchangingsystem 10 a, 10 b is rotated about an axis. As shown in FIG. 1, forexample, the heat exchanging system 10 a can include or be connected toa pair of rotary joints 34 at either end so that all the conduits 12 acan be rotated together. In other embodiments the turbulence creatingmembers may be rotatably connected or free floating in the conduits 12a, 12 b.

Rotation of individual conduits 12 a and 12 b, the turbulence creatingmembers, or the heat exchanging system 10 a, 10 b can help increasedisruption and turbulence in the surrounding air and/or fluid in thesystem. This disruption leads to forced circulation of atmospheric air,and it can eliminate the need to supply forced air, for example from adraft fan to circulate air and dissipate heat from the coolant to theatmosphere. The rotation of each of the conduits 12 a, 12 b or rotationof the cooling system 10 a, 10 b by the rotating joint 34, illustratedin FIG. 1, can be caused by a driving arrangement 35, such as, a ropeand pulley arrangement, a belt and pulley arrangement and the like. Thedriving arrangement can be powered by the engine 33. Alternatively, thedriving arrangement is powered by an additional power means. Appropriatesealing arrangement can be provided to prevent leakage of the fluid inthe heat exchanging systems 10 a, 10 b depending on the application.

Accordingly, certain embodiments enable a system that can eliminate orreduce the use of a fan for forcing atmospheric air over the heatexchanging system 10 a, 10 b to extract heat from the fluid flowingtherethrough. The exemplary embodiments can also provide a heatexchanging system 10 a, 10 b that eliminates or reduces choking problemspresent in conventional radiators. Certain exemplary embodiments canalso enable a reduction in the cost of operating the cooling system.Furthermore, existing cooling systems can be retrofit with the heatexchanging systems 10 a, 10 b in accordance with the present disclosure.

The foregoing detailed description of the certain exemplary embodimentshas been provided for the purpose of explaining the general principlesand practical application, thereby enabling others skilled in the art tounderstand the disclosure for various embodiments and with variousmodifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. Thisdescription is not necessarily intended to be exhaustive or to limit thedisclosure to the exemplary embodiments disclosed. Any of theembodiments and/or elements disclosed herein may be combined with oneanother to form various additional embodiments not specificallydisclosed. Accordingly, additional embodiments are possible and areintended to be encompassed within this specification and the scope ofthe appended claims. The specification describes specific examples toaccomplish a more general goal that may be accomplished in another way.

As used in this application, the terms “front,” “rear,” “upper,”“lower,” “upwardly,” “downwardly,” and other orientational descriptorsare intended to facilitate the description of the exemplary embodimentsof the present application, and are not intended to limit the structureof the exemplary embodiments of the present application to anyparticular position or orientation. Terms of degree, such as“substantially” or “approximately” are understood by those of ordinaryskill to refer to reasonable ranges outside of the given value, forexample, general tolerances associated with manufacturing, assembly, anduse of the described embodiments.

What is claimed:
 1. A heat exchanging system comprising: an inletheader; an outlet header in fluid communication with the inlet header; aconduit disposed between the inlet header and the outlet header havingan inner surface and an outer surface; a turbulator positioned in theconduit for disrupting the flow of fluid within the conduit; and a heatdispersing member provided on the outer surface of the conduit.
 2. Theheat exchanging system of claim 1, wherein the turbulator is positionedin the conduit in one of a concentric configuration and an eccentricconfiguration.
 3. The heat exchanging system of claim 1, wherein theturbulator includes a tube having a plurality of apertures.
 4. The heatexchanging system of claim 3, wherein the apertures includesubstantially circular openings and substantially oblong openings. 5.The heat exchanging system of claim 3, wherein the turbulator includes aflow restrictor.
 6. The heat exchanging system of claim 1, wherein theturbulator includes a baffle positioned on the inner surface.
 7. Theheat exchanging system of claim 1, wherein the heat dispersing memberincludes a projection extending along the length of the conduit.
 8. Theheat exchanging system of claim 1, wherein the heat dispersing memberincludes a plurality of discrete projections.
 9. The heat exchangingsystem of claim 1, wherein the heat dispersing member is substantiallyperpendicular to the conduit.
 10. The heat exchanging system of claim 1,wherein the heat dispersing member includes a curvilinear projection.11. The heat exchanging system of claim 1, wherein the heat dispersingmember includes one or more openings.
 12. The heat exchanging system ofclaim 1, wherein the conduit is rotatable with respect to the inlet andoutlet headers.
 13. The heat exchanging system of claim 1, wherein theinlet header, outlet header, and conduit are rotatable about an axis.14. A heat exchanging system comprising: an inlet header; an outletheader in fluid communication with the inlet header; a plurality ofconduits disposed between the inlet header and the outlet header havingan inner surface and an outer surface; a turbulator positioned in atleast one of the conduits for disrupting the flow of fluid within theconduit; and a heat dispersing member provided on the outer surface ofthe conduit.
 15. The heat exchanging system of claim 14, wherein asealed connection is made between the conduits and the inlet and outletheaders.
 16. The heat exchanging system of claim 14, wherein one of theconduits includes two turbulence members.
 17. The heat exchanging systemof claim 14, wherein the conduits are rotatably connected to the inletand outlet headers.
 18. The heat exchanging system of claim 14, whereina space is defined between the conduit and the turbulator.
 19. Anvehicle system comprising: an engine; a fluid for extracting heat fromthe engine; a heat exchanging system for cooling the fluid including aconduit, a turbulator positioned in the conduit for disrupting the flowof fluid within the conduit, and a heat dispersing member provided on anouter surface of the conduit; and a pump for transferring fluid that hasextracted heat from the engine to the heat exchanging system.
 20. Thevehicle system of claim 19, wherein fluid is transferred to the heatexchanging system after extracting heat from the engine if the fluid isabove a first temperature and fluid is transferred back to the engine ifit is below a first temperature.